Key Takeaways
- Malaysia closed schools in Kuala Lumpur and other parts of the country due to severe air pollution.
- The air quality in Kuala Lumpur hit a reading of around 224 on the Air Pollutant Index, making it the most polluted global major city.
- Malaysia's Prime Minister discussed the fire situation with Indonesia's leader and called for an urgent regional meeting.
Malaysia has closed schools in Kuala Lumpur and other parts of the country as toxic smoke from fires in neighboring Indonesia continues to affect air quality. The haze, caused by peatland and forest fires, has been shrouding towns and cities for over a month, leading to a surge in respiratory complaints.
Kuala Lumpur's air quality worsened on Friday, reaching a reading of around 224 on the Air Pollutant Index (API), according to Swiss-based monitor IQAir. This pushed the city past Singapore to become the 'most polluted global major city'.
Malaysia's Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek instructed full school closures in four states and two federal territories, as well as one partial closure in the central Pahang State. Schools were also closed in three districts in western Perak State on Friday.
Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim weighed in, stating that schools should be closed when air quality readings reach 150 or higher. He emphasized the need to protect schoolchildren and students, including senior citizens and patients with respiratory illnesses.
Under Malaysian guidelines, API readings above 100 are classified as unhealthy, above 200 as very unhealthy, above 300 as hazardous, while readings beyond 500 constitute a local emergency.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim discussed the fire situation with Indonesia's leader Prabowo Subianto and called for an urgent regional meeting. Anwar said, 'The haze issue is indeed at a worrying level. And I have personally contacted President Prabowo. And he also agreed to take the necessary steps.'
Indonesia's government stated that regular dialogue between the leaders is a natural part of the close relations between the two nations. Experts attribute the flames to a turbo-charged El Nino weather phenomenon, causing the worst pollution conditions in years.
Singapore's air quality levels also dipped into the 'very unhealthy' range with a reading of 209 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Friday afternoon, according to the IQAir website.
Malaysia's Prime Minister has asked the Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan to contact the 11-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations' secretariat for an urgent meeting between environmental ministers to discuss the matter.
The haze issue is indeed at a worrying level. And I have personally contacted President Prabowo.
Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's Prime Minister
Appropriate measures must be taken by the relevant ministries and agencies to protect schoolchildren and students, including senior citizens and patients with respiratory illnesses.
King Sultan Ibrahim, Malaysia's King
